Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria (CYON) of Ss Peter & Paul Parish, Umunze, Orumba South L.G.A, Anambra State, on Monday, 17th April, 2017 held her 2017 cultural fiesta, during which a new Igwe, a new Lolo and new Onowu of the parish CYON were crowned.
The event featured presentation of Distinguished Awards to the former CYON president of the parish and other individuals in recognition of their active and selfless service to the CYON and the Church. It also doubled with fund raising for the completion of the Church podium, hall and other outstanding projects ahead of the August 27, 2017 church dedication.
Earlier, when he led in a concelebrated mass to mark the event, the Dean, Umunze Deanery Rev Fr Prof Boniface Obiekezie stressed the need for Igbos to make their language and culture their identity. Fr Obiekezie charged the youths and entire Igbos to use the cultural fiesta and other cultural events as platform for reinstating the lost good aspects of Igbo culture and promotion of moral formation of the youths.
He advised the youths to dedicate their time and youthful energy to service for God. This was even as he chided Igbo parents, who do not speak Igbo Language to their children against dragging the Igbo cultural heritage to mud. The dean commended the parishioners for their supports to the Church and urged them to maximize such efforts and supports for the speedy completion of the outstanding Church projects so as to make the forthcoming church dedication achievable.
Speaking on the occasion, the parish priest of Ss Peter & Paul Parish, Umunze, Rev Fr Peter Nwankwo appreciated the parishioners, friends and well wishers of the parish for their supports and self less service to the Church, urging them to sustain the goodwill. This was even as he commended all who graced and donated in support of the occasion.
The Chairman of the occasion, Sir Augustine Okoli (Mayor) in his remarks described the CYON cultural Fiesta as a good platform for socialisation and formation of the youths into responsible adults.
He advised parents to cultivate the habit of monitoring the activities of their children for their proper upbringing. Okoli advised against idleness and stressed the need for parents to engage their children into responsible skills and programmes that would keep them busy as responsible future leaders.
Highlights of the events were presentation of award certificates to the awardees, contest for Ada Ss Peter & Paul Parish, Umunze, donations in support of Church projects and cultural dance by the Holy Childhood Association (HCA) of the parish.
The awardees were Mr. Peter Uka, Mr. Solomon Okoli, Mr. Anayo Okafor, Mr Peter Iyke Okoli, Mr Osondu Okolo, Mr Abosi Chidozie, Hon Hyginus Umeaka, Mr Ikechukwu Ndibuisi and late Mr.Philip Elekwechi, who died few weeks to the event.